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Chiang Mai, Thailand • Asia

Chiang Mai

Northern Thailand's laid-back cultural capital - golden temples, misty mountains, ethical elephants and a legendary food and cafe scene.

#Temples#Elephants#Mountains#Food#MarketsCouplesSolo TravelFamilyFoodieNature
7 Attractions
5 Restaurants
5 Hotels
1 Itineraries

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Quick facts

Best time to visit

November to February is the cool, dry and most pleasant season, with comfortable days and cooler evenings - peak time, and when the Yi Peng lantern festival lights the sky. March and April are hot and bring the smoky burning season, when air quality drops sharply, so are best avoided. The green wet season runs June to October with refreshing afternoon rains.

Daily budget
$95
Time zone
GMT+7 (ICT)
Language
Thai (English in tourist areas)
Currency
THB (Thai Baht (THB))
Emergency
191 / 1669
Power
Type A & C · 220V

About Chiang Mai

Chiang Mai is the soulful heart of northern Thailand, a city of more than 300 glittering temples wrapped within a centuries-old moated Old City and ringed by green, mist-wrapped mountains. Far more relaxed than Bangkok, it has become a beloved haven for travellers, digital nomads and food lovers, blending deep Lanna heritage with a creative, easygoing modern culture of artisan cafes, night markets and yoga studios. The pleasures here are wonderfully varied. Temple-hop through the Old City to Wat Chedi Luang and Wat Phra Singh, ride up the mountain to the sacred, golden Doi Suthep, and take a Thai cooking class or wander the vast Sunday Walking Street market. Beyond the city lie ethical elephant sanctuaries where rescued animals roam free, the waterfalls and Thailand's highest peak in Doi Inthanon National Park, and hill-tribe villages and jungle treks. It is also one of the cheapest places in the world for incredible food, from a 60-baht bowl of creamy khao soi to a feast at a night bazaar. The cool, dry season from November to February is the most pleasant; avoid the smoky burning season of March and April. Slow down, eat constantly, and let Chiang Mai's gentle northern charm work on you.

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Things to Do in Chiang Mai

7
Wat Phra That Doi SuthepReligious

Wat Phra That Doi Suthep

The sacred golden temple on a mountain above the city, reached by a 300-step naga staircase, with a glittering chedi and sweeping views over Chiang Mai.

2-3 hours From THB 304.7(150,000)
Old City TemplesReligious

Old City Temples

The historic moated centre packed with beautiful Lanna temples, led by the towering ruined chedi of Wat Chedi Luang and the golden Wat Phra Singh.

Half day Small donations4.6(120,000)
Ethical Elephant SanctuaryNature

Ethical Elephant Sanctuary

Rescued elephants roaming free in the jungle hills, where you can feed, walk with and bathe them at a no-riding, welfare-focused sanctuary. Book a reputable one.

Half to full day Tours from THB 20004.8(110,000)
Sunday Walking StreetShopping

Sunday Walking Street

A vast, festive evening market that takes over the Old City's main street each Sunday, with crafts, art, street food and live music.

2-3 hours Free entry4.6(90,000)
Doi Inthanon National ParkNature

Doi Inthanon National Park

Home to Thailand's highest peak, with cloud forests, waterfalls, hill-tribe villages and the twin royal pagodas amid manicured gardens.

Full day From THB 300 plus tour4.7(70,000)
Thai Cooking ClassFood

Thai Cooking Class

A hands-on day learning to cook northern Thai classics, usually starting with a local market tour - one of Chiang Mai's most popular experiences.

Half day From THB 10004.8(80,000)
Nimmanhaemin (Nimman)Food

Nimmanhaemin (Nimman)

The city's hip, leafy district of artisan coffee shops, design stores, bars and restaurants, the centre of Chiang Mai's creative and cafe culture.

2-3 hours Free4.5(60,000)

Where to Eat in Chiang Mai

5
Khao Soi Khun Yai

Khao Soi Khun Yai

Thai / Northern $4.7(22,000)

A beloved, no-frills lunch spot serving what many call the best khao soi in town - rich, creamy northern curry noodles. Get there early before it sells out.

Ristr8to

Ristr8to

Cafe / Coffee $4.6(16,000)

An award-winning specialty coffee shop at the heart of Chiang Mai's cafe scene, famous for its world-class latte art and single-origin brews.

SP Chicken

SP Chicken

Thai / Grill $4.5(15,000)

A simple, famous spot near Wat Phra Singh for superb rotisserie-grilled chicken, sticky rice and som tam papaya salad at tiny prices.

Tong Tem Toh

Tong Tem Toh

Thai / Northern $$4.5(18,000)

A buzzing, rustic Nimman restaurant in a wooden house, the place to try authentic northern Thai dishes like sai ua sausage and nam prik dips.

Dash! Restaurant & Bar

Dash! Restaurant & Bar

Thai / Modern $$4.5(12,000)

A charming teak-house restaurant and bar in the Old City serving polished Thai classics in a relaxed garden setting - great for dinner.

Where to Stay in Chiang Mai

5
137 Pillars House

137 Pillars House

Luxury $$$$4.8(2,500)

A serene, colonial-style luxury retreat of teak suites and gardens around a historic house, with a pool, spa and impeccable service.

Tamarind Village

Tamarind Village

Boutique $$$4.7(2,200)

A tranquil Lanna-style boutique hotel built around a giant tamarind tree in the heart of the Old City, with a lovely pool and courtyards.

Hotel Yayee

Hotel Yayee

Mid-Range $$4.5(1,800)

A stylish, design-led hotel with a famous rooftop bar and mountain views near Nimman, a great-value, photogenic base.

Green Tiger Vegetarian House

Green Tiger Vegetarian House

Guesthouse $4.5(2,000)

A friendly, good-value vegetarian guesthouse in the Old City with a rooftop pool and cafe, popular with conscious travellers.

Stamps Backpackers

Stamps Backpackers

Hostel $4.5(3,000)

A sociable, well-run hostel in the Old City with a rooftop, free breakfast and a great atmosphere for meeting fellow travellers.

Chiang Mai Itineraries

1
4-day trip

Classic 4 Days in Chiang Mai

easy USD 200 - 450

A northern Thailand loop through the Old City temples and Doi Suthep, an ethical elephant day, a cooking class and the mountains of Doi Inthanon.

View day-by-day plan

Chiang Mai Budget Guide

CategoryBudgetMid-RangeLuxury
Flights$500 - $1,100$500 - $1,100$500 - $1,100
Accommodation$15/night$55/night$200/night
Food$10/day$25/day-
Activities$30/day$30/day$30/day
Local Transport$5/day$5/day$5/day
Daily Average$40$95$280

Local currency: Thai Baht (THB)

Chiang Mai Travel FAQ

Everything you need to know before you go: best time to visit, visas, getting around, safety and more.

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